Dear Representative:
On behalf of the AFL-CIO, and especially the hardworking and dedicated flight crews that our affiliate unions represent across the country, I urge you to vote yes on H.R. 6222, the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act, which is on this week’s suspension calendar.
The ROTOR Act provides robust safety improvements to prevent midair collisions like the January 29, 2025, accident that occurred over the Potomac River, between a military helicopter and PSA Flight 5342, which tragically killed 67 people. It requires all commercial and military aircraft to use a safety technology called Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). This tracking technology improves pilots’ situational awareness to avoid midair collisions. This bill mandates additional safety improvements recommended by the NTSB Final Report on the DCA Midair Collision, such as safety reviews of congested airspace, removing exemptions allowing certain aircraft to operate near busy hubs without using ADS-B technology, and optimizing how the ADS-B tracking information is communicated to a flight crew.
The Senate passed the companion bill, S.2503, by unanimous consent, reflecting the broad bipartisan agreement that these common-sense, NTSB-recommended safety improvements are reasonable and necessary.
Please vote for the ROTOR Act to ensure that the highest safety standards and oversight are applied to our aviation industry to keep our skies safe for crews and passengers.
Sincerely,
Jody Calemine
Director, Government Affairs